Pride parades no longer hold same message

Re A gay activist of the old guard speaks out, DiManno, Feb. 2 I certainly share Paul King’s view, as do a number of my friends who have a considerable history with Pride. It is clear that what was once an joyous community event has fallen into the hands of special interest groups intent on building barriers, rather than knocking them down. Isn’t it curious that, having used the parade as a platform for its issues in 2016, Black Lives Matter has not made an appearance since? Isn’t it also curious that just before the recent annual meeting there was a sudden and substantial increase in membership registrations? If this were U.S. politics, someone would be complaining about outside interference. What this tells me is that Pride has become a political football, not a celebration of inclusivity. David Gates, Toronto

What a super column letting gay activist Paul King express his views clearly and strongly. As a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, 20 years older than he, I remember all those years very well, and have attended every parade. Once, two young men invited me to walk with them for a couple of blocks and I gladly did, not as a gay person, but simply a supporter.

Over the years all sorts of groups have participated in PRIDE parades … businesses, community groups, police, etc., without animosity or violence. I was at the parade when Black Lives Matter held it up and made it an unpleasant, heartbreaking experience for many people. Until their interference, the parades were happy, inclusive events. Why can’t we forget past grievances and just participate or watch parades happily? Shirley Bush, Toronto